Shepard Fairey the Plagiarist

mezi · Post by **mezi** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 1:21 am

I remember my graphic design teacher would always gloat about how she knows Fairey, how amazing he is

Pretty intresting article, check it out;

Perhaps the most important falsehood concerning Fairey’s behavior is that it is motivated by some grand theory of aesthetics or weighty political philosophy - but I’m afraid the only scheme at work is the one intended to make Fairey wealthy and famous. Some have, for whatever reason, imagined Fairey to be a progressive political figure, a perception certainly cultivated by the artist; but it’s also not impossible to view Fairey’s work as right-wing in essence, since it largely ransacks leftist history and imagery while the artist laughs all the way to the bank.

http://www.art-for-a-change.com/Obey/index.htm

djelements · Post by **djelements** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 2:11 am

Exactly, although nobody will listen to you if you say that.[/quote]

south3rn · Post by **south3rn** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 3:44 am

obey got very boring very fast

thesis · Post by **thesis** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 8:28 am

Interesting article but not entirely accurate. First paragraph says:

"Shepard Fairey has carefully nurtured a reputation as a heroic guerilla street artist waging a one man campaign against the corporate powers-that-be."

Fairey started out stickering for fun... he never had (or pretended to have) political/anti-corporate motives.

boomnoise · Post by **boomnoise** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 8:47 am

ransacking leftist imagery is hardly something fairey has ever had a monopoly on to be honest. to claim a right wing essence goes a bit far though.

FSTZ · Post by **FSTZ** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 4:50 pm

he's a terrible DJ, might I add

stanton · Post by **stanton** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 5:14 pm

I always thought his stuff was a bit 'rubbish'. I'm a philistine though.

*grand* · Post by ***grand*** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 5:17 pm

And i like the many other ninja's that lurk in the hideout have no idea what the hell this thread is about... pls shed some light.

two oh one · Post by **two oh one** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 5:18 pm

FIGHT THE POWER, YEAH?

*grand* · Post by ***grand*** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 5:21 pm

mezi · Post by **mezi** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 5:49 pm

boomnoise wrote:ransacking leftist imagery is hardly something fairey has ever had a monopoly on to be honest. to claim a right wing essence goes a bit far though.

Its not a monopoly, its plagiarism. He's blatantly ripping off other artists without giving credit. He just sells the image of cultural rebellion, check out his manifesto,
"change the world with art dude"

mezi · Post by **mezi** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 5:50 pm

*Grand* wrote:And i like the many other ninja's that lurk in the hideout have no idea what the hell this thread is about... pls shed some light.

seckle · Post by **seckle** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 6:00 pm

shepard uses controversial, political images and all of a sudden he's a plagiarist?

what about...

roy lichtenstein, 1965. he would cut out comics and repaint them.

andy warhol 1964. he silkscreened over everything from soup cans, to photo portraits to advertising campaigns.

none of them gave credit to the original designers and artists. sounds like some journo is trying to make a name for himself. what else is new.

two oh one · Post by **two oh one** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 6:02 pm

Mezi wrote:
boomnoise wrote:ransacking leftist imagery is hardly something fairey has ever had a monopoly on to be honest. to claim a right wing essence goes a bit far though.
Its not a monopoly, its plagiarism. He's blatantly ripping off other artists without giving credit. He just sells the image of cultural rebellion, check out his manifesto,
"change the world with art dude"

Never been into his 'work'. A lot of commercial artists rip things off. There was that massive news piece a while back where a famous commercial gallery artist had ripped off a bunch of different artists from images found on the internet.
Of course, he has a team of underlings working for him, so he claimed he didn't know anything about it. That's how they protect themselves. A similar situation to Timbacock, really. It's business.

seckle · Post by **seckle** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 6:04 pm

the original che photographer , alberto korda never received a dime from any of the people that ripped his photo off.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberto_Korda

artists inspire artists. it's been this way since day one.

mezi · Post by **mezi** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 6:08 pm

With Lichtenstein and Worhol, its obvious that its a joke on commercial art. Fairey regurgitates others work and hopes no one notices.

FSTZ · Post by **FSTZ** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 6:10 pm

I have no problem with recycling art (sampling...HELLO??)

and some of Shep's stuff is kinda cool, I mean... the Andre the giant stickers were hilarious in the 90's

but I can't believe the numerous cities that have been "vandalized" (not my point of view, but the property owners, and city officials might feel different) by Fairy, have yet to press charges or slap him with a lawsuit.

I have friends who are much more talented artists, but they'll never see any money or get any recognition because they don't have the time or money to travel around the country with stencils and paint.

just my 2 cents

mezi · Post by **mezi** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 6:19 pm

blatant rip of Kolomon Moser.

With sampling your taking bits and pieces, not the whole chorus and song.
And just because artists are ripping off other artists, doesnt mean its ok.

FSTZ · Post by **FSTZ** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 6:53 pm

True, true

but hey, I couldn't do that guerilla art crap on the level he does, so I maintain a level of respect for what he does.

self love · Post by **self love** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 7:27 pm

shepard is getting a bit played out, largely because he puts out too much work BUT at least he does the work. i mean the guy's still out there getting arrested on the regular so...he's committed. i'm a fan but i also dig faile.

http://www.faile.net

Shepard Fairey the Plagiarist

Shepard Fairey the Plagiarist

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